Automatic grave closing or covering device



' Aug. 10,192s.. 1 1,595,223

I G. J. CARROLL AUTOMATIC GRAVE CLOSING OR COVERING DEVICE FiledJune' 20, 1924 GEORGEJDARROLL. I I I I Patented Aug. 10, 1926.

GEORGE J. CARROLL, OF GAINESVILLE, TEXAS.

AUTOMATIC GRAVE CLOSING OR COVERING DEVICE.

Application filed. June 20,

My invention relates to a covering device for graves and more particularly to a temporary covering for graves; and the object is to provide a covering which will be automatically actuated by th casket lowering mechanism so that the grave will be closed so that the casket will be hidden from view. With such provision, the bereaved parties and others will not have to stand and watch the covering of the casket with dirt and the sadness of the occasion will be lessened or shortened and the services at the grave can be closed so that all parties may leave. Other objects and advantages will be fully explained in the following description and the invention will be more particularly pointed out in the claims.

Reference is had to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this application.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the frame work without th lining and covering, the frame work being suspendedin the cavity. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the covering after it has closed the grave. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section of the covering, as shown in Fig. 2. detail view, showing the manner of connecting the longitudinal frame members to the curved end members. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the devices shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a broken view of the telescoping longitudinal members. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one end of a curved end member, showing the provision for spring engaging members on the ends of the longitudinal frame members.

Similar characters of reference are used to indicate the same parts throughout the several views. 7

The drawings show the usual lowering mechanism consisting of the rollin side members 1 and 2 which are journa led in the bearing members 3, one of which contains the gearing for lowering the casket by means of the straps 4, and the end members 5.

The principal parts of the closing device are two quarter segmental members, indi cated generally in Figs. 2 by A and B. The lowering devices are provided with two boards 6 and 7 and spindles 8 which are mounted inthe sides of the boards 6 and 7. Two pairs of frame members are provided Flg. 4 1s an enlarged- 1924. SeriaI No. 721,220.

at each end of the mechanism. Each frame member consists of a radial bar 9 and a curved member or are 10 and these members are pivotally mounted on the spindles 8 and swing on these spindles, Fig. 1 showing the frame members in inoperative position and Fig. 3 showing these end frame members in closed position. Longitudinal telescopic bars 11 and 12 ar connected to the arched members 10 of the end frame members. The members 10 are provided with notches 13 and the telescopic members 11 and 12 are provided with spring grabs 14. The spring grabs 14 are provided with beveled lugs 15. against the edges of the members 10. The beveled portions of the lugs 15 will cause the spring grabs to open to receive the frame members 10 and when the lugs 15 reach the cut-outs 13, th lugs will drop into the cut-outs 13. This operation will secure the longitudinal frame members to the end arch members 10. The ends of the arch members 10 are provided with abutments 16 which serve as braces when the device is in closed position. The two longitudinal members 17 are supported by two spring detents 18 which are riveted to the end members 10. Vith this provision, should the casket tendto come against the longitudinal members 17, the casket would bear against the spring detents 18 and this would push the longitudinal members 17 out of the way of the casket. The telescopic member 11 is provided with a series of holes 19 and the member 12 carries a spring 20 which carries a lug for dropping into the holes 19 for holding the telescopic members 11 and 12 at any required adjustment. A lining 21 of silk or any suitable material is attached to the longitudinal bars 11 and 12 and to the end members 10. A coarser covering 22- is attached to the outside of the longitudinal members 11 and 12 and to th end frame members 10. The covering 22 may be pro- 1 The grabs are shoved covering members A and B will be automatica-lly swung up to the positions shown in Fig. 2 and in Fig. 3.

Provision is made for closing the ends of the segmental covering. End closing frame members, similar to members 9 and 10, are attached to theradial'bars 9. These end closing members include radial bars which are attached to the barsfl and arched spring members 26 are riveted to th members 25. Any suitable cloth 2? is attachec to the arch spring mcn'ibers 26 to hang down as shown in Fig, 2. The end closing members move with the arch or segmental members A and Various changes in the C011 3i"'UCtlO11,

parting from my invention.

What I claim, is

1. A grave closing mechanism comprising a pair of segmental frames, each frame consisting of'a pair of end radial members and curved members attached thereto and telescopic longitudinal detac'hably connected to said curved members, end frame mend 5' connected to said radial members, cover.

\l attached to said end frame members, cave-n ings for said segmental frames incl carved portions thereof, pivotal said segmental frames to porn t the sw ing of said frames down into the ve cavity and the swinging of said se cntal frames out of the cavity to cover a casket,

the grave cavity and to swing out of the grave cavity for inclosing a casket, sald arched members having notches near their ends and said longitudinal members having spring grabs engaging said archedmembers in said notches, and means operatively connectin said segmental members to said casket lowering mechanism for automatically actuating saidsegmental frame members to cover the casket as it is lowered into the grave.

3. A grave closing mechanism comprising a pair of segmental frames, each frame consisting of ra'dial end members and arch members connected thereto and longitudinal members provided with spring grabs for enga' ing said arch members, coverings for s :d frames, pivotal bearings for said segmental frames to permit the swinging of said frames down into the grave cavity and the swinging of said frames out of the cavity to cover a casket, and means for automatically actuating said frames as a casket is lowered into the grave.

i. The combination of a casket lowering mechanism and a grave closing mechanism comprising a pair of'segmental members provided with means for acjusting said members longitudinally, each segmental member consisting of arched members provided with notches near their ends and longitudinal members provided with spring having beveled lugs adapted to engage s. arched i'nei'nbers in said notches, coverin s for said members, pivotal bearings for segmental men'lbcrs for permitting said said k members to swing down into the grave and to swing ontof the grave cavity in position to cover a casket, and means operatively connecting said segmental members to said casket lowering mechanism for automatically actuating said segmental members to cover the casket as it is lowered into the grave.

In testimony whereof, I 155311 day-of May, 1924.

GEORGE J. CARROLL.

set my hand, this 

